1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battle
Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Both sides in this legal battle accuse the other of creating confusion and uncertainty.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
These are the companies that will be battling for American autonomous vehicle market share in the years to come.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
The family’s outing comes a month after Dane died at the age of 53 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, the degenerative neurological disorder that currently has no cure.
—Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Both sides in this legal battle accuse the other of creating confusion and uncertainty.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Sam Semon, Head of International Business Affairs for Amazon MGM Studios and a former executive at NBCUniversal and Gaumont Television, died March 17 after battling an undisclosed illness.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
These are the companies that will be battling for American autonomous vehicle market share in the years to come.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
The company develops and makes products for civilian and military use, such as drone technologies used by Ukraine's armed forces in the fight against the Russian invasion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The votes mark incremental progress toward resolving at least some of the vacancies that have fueled the dispute, particularly in Utah, where Holyoak’s interim status has become a flashpoint in the broader fight.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The curbs were initially enacted in 2020 after a border skirmish escalated tensions between the world’s two most populous nations.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Barron County Sheriff's Office About two hours later, Austin and his mom pulled onto a field next to a patch of trees.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The attack was prompted by an Israeli strike on the South Pars gas field, which is shared by Iran and Qatar.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Knicks beat the Nets for the 14th straight time, the longest winning streak for either team in the local rivalry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Manchester City This must feel like being between a rock and a hard place for Manchester United fans given their long-standing rivalries with both clubs.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Republicans are, for the most part, supportive of transgender policies Trump has asked them to tack on as well, one that would restrict surgeries for minors and another preventing biological males from competing in women’s sports.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Mar. 2026
-
About 93% of 35,000 villages, towns and cities selected their mayors in the first round last week, with mostly one or two candidates, not associated with any party, competing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Republicans in California are facing opposition from Democrats in their effort to suspend that state's gas tax.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
On Saturday, Osasuna and Girona FC face one another in La Liga action.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Afghanistan's vast poppy fields have been the source of much of the world's heroin, which in combination with decades of conflict and widespread poverty has fueled drug addiction that the country's government has vowed to combat.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
-
In his latest attempt to combat contraband at the Fulton County Jail, Sheriff Patrick Labat is fighting fire with fire.—
Rosie Manins,
AJC.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The best way to oppose the hanging of these posters is to study the arguments the state made in favor of them.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The Kansas branch of the National Education Association opposed legislation prohibiting elementary students from using computers or tablets at all.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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